Synthesis of dual-doped non-precious metal electrocatalysts and their electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction

The pyrolyzed carbon supported ferrum polypyrrole （Fe-N/C） catalysts are synthesized with or without selected dopants, p-toluenesulfonic acid （TsOH）, by a facile thermal annealing approach at desired temperature for optimizing their activity for the oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） in O2-saturated 0.1 mol/L KOH solution. The electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry （CV） and rotating disk electrode （RDE） are employed with the Koutecky-Levich theory to quantitatively obtain the ORR kinetic constants and the reaction mechanisms. It is found that catalysts doped with TsOH show significantly improved ORR activity relative to the TsOH-free one. The average electron transfer numbers for the catalyzed ORR are determined to be 3.899 and 3.098, respectively, for the catalysts with and without TsOH-doping. The heat-treatment is found to be a necessary step for catalyst activity improvement, and the catalyst pyrolyzed at 600℃ gives the best ORR activity. An onset potential and the potential at the current density of -1.5 mA/cm2 for TsOH-doped catalyst after pyrolysis are 30 mV and 170 mV, which are more positive than those without pyrolized. Furthermore, the catalyst doped with TsOH shows higher tolerance to methanol compared with commercial Pt/C catalyst in 0.1 mol/L KOH. To understand this TsOH doping and pyrolyzed effect, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscope （SEM） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS） are used to characterize these catalysts in terms of their structure and composition. XPS results indicate that the pyrrolic-N groups are the most active sites, a finding that is supported by the correspondence between changes in pyridinic-N content and ORR activity that occur with changing temperature. Sulfur species are also structurally bound to carbon in the forms of C-Sn-C, an additional beneficial factor for the ORR.

Templated synthesis of transition metal phosphide electrocatalysts for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions

Transition metal phosphides(TMPs)have been regarded as alternative hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)catalysts owing to their comparable activity to those of noble metal-based catalysts.TMPs have been produced in various morphologies,including hollow and porous nanostructures,which are features deemed desirable for electrocatalytic materials.Templated synthesis routes are often responsible for such morphologies.This paper reviews the latest advances and existing challenges in the synthesis of TMP-based OER and HER catalysts through templated methods.A comprehensive review of the structure-property-performance of TMP-based HER and OER catalysts prepared using different templates is presented.The discussion proceeds according to application,first by HER and further divided among the types of templates used-from hard templates,sacrificial templates,and soft templates to the emerging dynamic hydrogen bubble template.OER catalysts are then reviewed and grouped according to their morphology.Finally,prospective research directions for the synthesis of hollow and porous TMP-based catalysts,such as improvements on both activity and stability of TMPs,design of environmentally benign templates and processes,and analysis of the reaction mechanism through advanced material characterization techniques and theoretical calculations,are suggested.

Nanocarbon-based metal-free and non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions

The oxygen reduction/evolution reactions(ORR/OER) are a key electrode process in the development of electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices,such as metal-air batteries and reversible fuel cells.The search for low-cost high-performance nanocarbon-based metal-free and non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR/OER alternatives to the widely-used noble metal-based catalysts is a research focus.This review aims to outline the opportunities and available options for these nanocarbon-based bifunctional electrocatalysts.Through discussion of some current scientific issues,we summarize the development and breakthroughs of these electrocatalysts.Then we provide our perspectives on these issues and suggestions for some areas in the further work.We hope that this review can improve the interest in nanocarbon-based metal-free and non-precious metal bifunctional electrocatalysts for ORR/OER.

Regulating non-precious transition metal nitrides bifunctional electrocatalysts through surface/interface nanoengineering for air-cathodes of Zn-air batteries

Zn-air batteries(ZABs),especially the secondary batteries,have engrossed a great interest because of its high specific energy,economical and high safety.However,due to the insufficient activity and stability of bifunctional electrocatalysts for air-cathode oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER)processes,the practical application of rechargeable ZABs is seriously hindered.In the effort of developing high active,stable and cost-effective electrocatalysts,transition metal nitrides(TMNs)have been regarded as the candidates due to their high conductivity,strong corrosion-resistance,and bifunctional catalytic performance.In this paper,the research progress in TMNs-based material as ORR and OER electrocatalysts for ZABs is discussed with respect to their synthesis,chemical/physical characterization,and performance validation/optimization.The surface/interface nanoengineering strategies such as defect engineering,support binding,heteroatom introduction,crystal plane orientation,interface construction and small size effect,the physical and chemical properties of TMNs-based electrocatalysts are emphasized with respect to their structures/morphologies,composition,electrical conductivity,specific surface area,chemical stability and corrosion resistance.The challenges of TMNs-based materials as bifunctional air-cathode electrocatalysts in practical application are evaluated,and numerous research guidelines to solve these problems are put forward for facilitating further research and development.

Metal oxides heterojunction derived Bi-In hybrid electrocatalyst for robust electroreduction of CO_(2) to formate

Electrochemical reduction of Bi-based metal oxides is regarded as an effective strategy to rationally design advanced electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR).Realizing high selectivity at high current density is important for formate production,but remains challenging.Herein,the BiIn hybrid electrocatalyst,deriving from the Bi2O3/In2O3heterojunction(MOD-Biln),shows excellent catalytic performance for CO_(2)RR.The Faradaic efficiency of formate(FEHCOO-) can be realized over 90% at a wide potential window from-0.4 to-1.4 V vs.RHE,while the partial current density of formate(jHCOO-) reaches about 136.7 mA cm^(-2)at-1.4 V in flow cell without IR-compensation.In additio n,the MOD-Biln exhibits superior stability with high selectivity of formate at 100 mA cm^(-2).Systematic characterizations prove the optimized catalytic sites and interface charge transfer of MOD-Biln,while theoretical calculation confirms that the hybrid structure with dual Bi/In metal sites contribute to the optimal free energy of*H and*OCHO intermediates on MOD-Biln surface,thus accelerating the formation and desorption step of*HCOOH to final formate production.Our work provides a facile and useful strategy to develop highly-active and stable electrocatalysts for CO_(2)RR.

Electrocatalytic activity of non-precious metal catalyst Co-N/C toward oxygen reduction reaction

Metallic cobalt was deposited on acetylene black to synthesize a composite Co/C by chemical reduction method.A platinumfree electrocatalyst Co-N/C（800） for oxygen reduction reaction（ORR） was synthesized by mixing the composite Co/C with urea and heat-treating at 800℃.The results from linear sweep voltammograms indicated that the Co-N/C（800） is active to ORR.Theβ-Co and cobalt oxides are not the active site of the catalyst Co-N/C.However,the existence of cobalt facilitated the modification of nitrogen to carbon black and led to the formation of active site of catalyst Co-N/C（800）.

Integrated electrocatalysts derived from metal organic frameworks for gas-involved reactions

Integrated electrocatalysts(IECs)containing well-defined functional materials directly grown on the current collector have sparked increasing interest in the fields of electrocatalysis owing to efficient activity,high stability and the fact that they are easily assembled into devices.Recently,metal organic frameworks(MOFs)provide a promising platform for constructing advanced IECs because of their properties of low cost,large surface area and efficient structural tunability.In this review,the design principles of state-of-the-art IECs based on MOFs are presented,including by hydrothermal/solvothermal,template-directed,electrospinning,electrodeposition and other methods.The high performance of MOF-derived IECs has also been demonstrated in electrocatalytic gasinvolved reactions.This is promising for green energy storage and conversion.The structure-activity relationship and performance improvement mechanism of IECs are uncovered by discussing some in situ technologies for IECs.Finally,we provide an outlook on the challenges and prospects in this booming field.

Tuning the surface electronic structure of noble metal aerogels to promote the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is the bottleneck for various electrochemical energy conversion devices.Regulating the electronic structure of electrocatalysts by ligands has received particular attention in deriving valid ORR electrocatalysts.Here,the surface electronic structure of Ptbased noble metal aerogels(NMAs)was modulated by various organic ligands,among which the electron-withdrawing ligand of 4-methylphenylene effectively boosted the ORR electrocatalysis.Theoretical calculations suggested the smaller energy barrier for the transformation of O^(*) to OH^(*) and downshift the d-band center of Pt due to the interaction between 4-methylphenylene and the surface metals,thus enhancing the ORR intrinsic activity.Both Pt3Ni and Pt Pd aerogels with 4-methylphenylene decoration performed significant enhancement in ORR activity and durability in different media.Remarkably,the 4-methylphenylene modified Pt Pd aerogel exhibited the higher halfwave potential of 0.952 V and the mass activity of 10.2 times of commercial Pt/C.This work explained the effect of electronic structure on ORR electrocatalytic properties and would promote functionalized NMAs as efficient ORR electrocatalysts.

A general synthetic strategy for N, P co-doped graphene supported metal-rich noble metal phosphides for hydrogen generation

The exploitation of electrocatalysts with high activity and durability for HER is desirable for future energy systems,but it is still a challenge.NMPs have attracted increasing attentions,but the preparation process often needs toxic regents or dangerous reaction conditions.Herein,we develop a general green method to fabricate metal-rich NMPs anchored on NPG through pyrolyzing DNA cross-linked complexes.The obtained Ru_(2) P-NPG exhibits an ultrasmall overpotential of 7 mV at 10 mA cm^(2) and ultralow Tafel slope of 33 mV dec^(-1) in 1.0 mol L?1 KOH,even better than that of commercial Pt/C.In addition,Ru 2 P-NPG also shows low overpotentials of 29 and 78 mV in 0.5 mol L^(-1) H_(2)SO_(4) and 1.0 mol L^(-1) PBS,respectively.The superior activity can be attributed to the ultrafine dispersion of Ru 2 P nanoparticles for more accessible sites,more defects formed for abundant active sites,the two-dimensional plane structure for accelerated electron transfer and mass transport,as well as the regulation of electron distribution of the catalyst.Moreover,the synthetic method can also be applied to prepare other metal-rich noble metal phosphides(Pd_(3)P-NPG and Rh_(2)P-NPG),which also exhibits high activity for HER.This work provides an effective strategy for designing NMP-based electrocatalysts.

Recent Advances on MOF Derivatives for Non-Noble Metal Oxygen Electrocatalysts in Zinc-Air Batteries

Oxygen electrocatalysts are of great importance for the air electrode in zinc-air batteries(ZABs).Owing to the high specific surface area,controllable pore size and unsaturated metal active sites,metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)derivatives have been widely studied as oxygen electrocatalysts in ZABs.To date,many strategies have been developed to generate efficient oxygen electrocatalysts from MOFs for improving the performance of ZABs.In this review,the latest progress of the MOF-derived non-noble metal-oxygen electrocatalysts in ZABs is reviewed.The performance of these MOF-derived catalysts toward oxygen reduction,and oxygen evolution reactions is discussed based on the categories of metal-free carbon materials,single-atom catalysts,metal cluster/carbon composites and metal compound/carbon composites.Moreover,we provide a comprehensive overview on the design strategies of various MOF-derived non-noble metal-oxygen electrocatalysts and their structure-performance relationship.Finally,the challenges and perspectives are provided for further advancing the MOF-derived oxygen electrocatalysts in ZABs.

Modification strategies on transition metal-based electrocatalysts for efficient water splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting driven by electrocatalysts is recognized as a promising strategy to generate clean hydrogen fuel.Searching and constructing high-efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts is vital in the practical applications of electrocatalytic water splitting.Although transition metal-based materials have been considered as promising electrocatalysts,the satisfactory activities are usually not built on the bulk materials,but strongly relying on elaborately designing these electrocatalysts.Herein,the recent theoretical and experimental progress on modification strategies to improve the intrinsic activities is summarized,especially including element doping,phase engineering,structure cooperation,interface engineering,vacancy engineering,strain engineering and self-functionalization.Finally,the future opportunities and challenges on these modification strategies are also proposed.Overall,it is anticipated that these modification strategies offer some new understandings on rationally constructing non-noble electrocatalysts for efficient electrocatalytic water splitting.

Nonprecious metal's graphene-supported electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction: Fundamentals to applications

Sustainable production of hydrogen is a hopeful requirement of a strategic future economy and development.Water splitting driven by electricity is a favorable pathway for renewable hydrogen production.This critical review highlighted recent efforts toward the development of the nanoscale synthesis of nonprecious metal's graphene-supported electrocatalysts and their electrocatalytic features for remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).Different essential nonprecious metal's graphene-supported electrocatalysts,including metal carbides,sulfides,phosphides,selenides,oxides,and nitrides are reviewed.In the exploration,attention is given to the strategies of activity enhancement,the synthetic approach,and the composition/structure electrocatalytic-performance relationship of these HER electrocatalysts.We are hopeful that this review confers a new momentum to the rational design of remarkable performance nonprecious metal's graphenesupported electrocatalysts and comprehensive guide for researchers to utilize the subject catalysts in regular water splitting.

Recent progress of precious-metal-free electrocatalysts for efficient water oxidation in acidic media

The realization of efficient oxygen evolution reaction(OER) is critical to the development of multiple sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies, especially hydrogen production via water electrolysis. To achieve the massive application of hydrogen energy and mass-scale hydrogen production from water splitting drives the pursuit of competent precious-metal-free electrocatalysts in acidic media, where the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER) is more facilitated. However, the development of high-efficient and acid-stable OER electrocatalysts, which are robust to function stably at high oxidation potentials in the acidic electrolyte, remains a great challenge. This article contributes a focused, perceptive review of the up-to-date approaches toward this emerging research field. The OER reaction mechanism and fundamental requirements for oxygen evolution electrocatalysts in acid are introduced. Then the progress and new discoveries of precious-metal-free active materials and design concepts with regard to the improvement of the intrinsic OER activity are discussed. Finally, the existing scientific challenges and the outlooks for future research directions to the fabrication of emerging, earth-abundant OER electrocatalysts in acid are pointed out.

Metal‐organic frameworks‐derived novel nanostructured electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction

Engineering cost‐effective catalysts with exceptional performance for theelectrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains crucial for theaccelerated development of renewable energy techniques, and especially so,given the pivotal role of OER in water electrolysis. On the basis of the metalnodes (clusters) and organic linkers, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) andtheir derivatives are rapidly gaining ground in the fabrication of electrocatalysts,with promising catalytic activity and sound durability in OER, thanksto their controllable pore structures, abundant unsaturated active sites of metalion, extensive specific surface area, as well as easily functionalized/modifiedsurfaces. This review presents an in‐depth understanding of the establishedprogress of MOFs‐derived materials for OER electrocatalysis. The materialdesigning strategies of the pristine, monometallic, and multimetallic MOFsbasedcatalysts are summarized to indicate the infinite possibilities of themorphology and the composition of MOF‐derived materials. While emphasisis laid on the essential features of MOF‐derived materials for the electrocatalysisof the corresponding reactions, insights about the applications in OERare discussed. Finally, this paper is concluded by presenting challengesand perspectives for MOF‐derived materials’ future applications in OERelectrocatalysis.

Recent Progress of Metal Organic Frameworks-Based Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution,Oxygen Evolution,and Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Exploring efficient and cost-saving electrocatalysts is essential to the renewable energy storage and utilization,which is still in its embryonic period.MOFs have drawn tremendous attention due to their adjustability,abundant active sites,and plentiful pores.Notably,satisfactory electrocatalytic performance has been achieved by MOFs-based electrocatalysts comparable to traditional electrocatalysts.State-of-the-art works about the MOFs-based electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction(HER),oxygen evolution reaction(OER),and ORR were summarized in this review.This review comprises a series of modifying strategies of MOFs and their derivatives,from aspects of structure,composition,and morphology.Furthermore,the active sites and functional mechanisms’recognition are involved in this review expecting to provide reference for rationally designing efficient electrocatalysts.At last,the current status,challenges,and perspectives of MOFs-based electrocatalysts are also discussed.

Defect-engineered two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides towards electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

Recently,two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides(TMDs)demonstrated their great potential as cost-effective catalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction.Herein,we systematically summarize the existing defect engineering strategies,including intrinsic defects(atomic vacancy and active edges)and extrinsic defects(metal doping,nonmetal doping,and hybrid doping),which have been utilized to obtain advanced TMD-based electrocatalysts.Based on theoretical simulations and experimental results,the electronic structure,intermediate adsorption/desorption energies and possible catalytic mechanisms are thoroughly discussed.Particular emphasis is given to the intrinsic relationship between various types of defects and electrocatalytic properties.Furthermore,current opportunities and challenges for mechanical investigations and applications of defective TMD-based catalysts are presented.The aim herein is to reveal the respective properties of various defective TMD catalysts and provide valuable insights for fabricating high-efficiency TMD-based electrocatalysts.

Recent update on electrochemical CO_(2)reduction catalyzed by metal sulfide materials

Seeking and developing efficient CO_(2)reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR)electrocatalysts is a hot topic in this era of global warming.Among material candidates for sustainable and cost-effective applications,metal sulfides have attracted attention as promising nature-inspired materials due to multiple adsorption sites which are enhanced by the covalent character of sulfur.This article summarizes the current status regarding the utilization and development of metal sulfide materials as CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts.First,the research background and basic principles of electrochemical CO_(2)RR are introduced.Next,an overview of the main obstacles to developing efficient CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts is presented.The section is followed by a summary of the empirical evidence supporting the application of metal sulfides as CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts beside nature-inspired motivation.The summary of synthesis methods of various metal sulfides is also presented.Furthermore,the paper also highlights the recent works on metal sulfide as efficient CO_(2)RR including the undertaking strategy on the activity enhancement,and finally,discusses the challenges and prospect of metal sulfides-based CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts.Despite recent efforts,metal sulfides remain relatively unexplored as materials for CO_(2)RR electrocatalytic applications.Therefore,this review aims to stimulate novel ideas and research for improved catalyst designs and functionality.

利用化工废水电解制氢电极及电解槽系统

中国科学院兰州化学物理研究所研究团队发展出以复合过渡金属为主要组成的复合电极作为AEM电解槽的阳极,镍基复合电极作为阴极的电极系统,可连续运行100 d,产氢的电效率可达到60%,该技术攻克了电解槽膜堵塞的难题,实现了化工废水的资源化利用转化为绿氢.

Fe^(3+)协同Ni基金属-有机框架提升电催化析氧反应活性的研究

采用溶剂热法合成了金属-有机框架材料(phen-Ni),然后通过掺杂异金属Fe^(3+)制备了Fe@phen-Ni电催化剂。利用X射线单晶衍射仪、X射线光电子能谱仪、扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜等对催化剂的物相、形貌及各成分化学状态进行表征。利用线性扫描伏安法(LSV)和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)等研究了Fe@phen-Ni催化剂的电催化析氧(OER)性能。结果表明,当电流密度为10mA/cm^(2)时,Fe@phen-Ni的OER过电位为333mV,与phen-Ni相比显示出更优异的OER催化活性。Fe@phen-Ni电催化活性的提高归因于Fe^(3+)的引入,这不仅增加了电催化剂的活性位点,而且由于Fe^(3+)和Ni^(2+)的协同作用,促进了电子转移,从而提高了电催化活性。该工作不仅证实了异金属离子的掺杂有利于提高电催化析氧活性,而且为基于金属-有机框架材料制备电化学OER催化剂提供了新的思路。

纳米碳片负载Mott-Schottky型Co/Co_(9)S_(8)异质结的原位合成及电催化性能研究

以K_(3)[Co(CN)_(6)]为Co源,硫脲为S源,富含-OH和-NH_(2)的天然亲水性高分子壳聚糖为碳源,通过形成CS-K_(3)[Co(CN)_(6)]水凝胶将Co前驱体和S源均匀分布于C前驱体中。水凝胶形成的主要驱动力来自金属Co离子与壳聚糖中-NH_2的配位交联以及Co离子之间通过-CN的桥接作用。得益于均匀分散的前驱体和后续热解处理初期形成的Co的催化作用,通过简单地调控Co与S的原子比,原位构建出均匀镶嵌有Co/Co_(9)S_(8)异质结的N,S共掺杂富含微孔的碳纳米片(Co/Co_(9)S_(8)@N,S-CNSs)。采用SEM、TEM、BET、XRD、Raman、XPS和电化学工作站等方法对所制备催化剂的形貌、组成和结构以及电催化性能进行了表征。结果表明,形成的Mott-Schottky型Co/Co_(9)S_(8)异质界面有效地调控了活性中心的电子结构和电荷传输特性;二维掺杂多孔碳纳米片的负载使活性位点更加均匀分散,同时提供了高速的电子和传质通道,也避免了活性位点在催化过程中的迁移聚集。两者的协同作用使合成的Co/Co_(9)S_(8)@N,S-CNSs复合催化剂具有了更优的催化性能,在10 mA·cm^(-2)的电流密度下,其催化碱性析氧反应/OER的过电位仅为304 mV,优于商业化的RuO_(2)催化剂。该研究为发展具有优异电催化性能的廉价过渡金属催化剂提供帮助。